FICO score and light credit checks.

first of all i want to say good job to tusc for his Credit Scoring 101 post. However I am still a bit in the dark as to how something affects a credit rating. I have recently started a job selling satelite TV service and as part of the process we do a light credit check to see if they have a credit score of 600+ (I am amazed at how many people don't meet this requirement). but since it is considered a credit check I have had some people decline our promotion because they have just bought a new car, refinanced a house, etc. and didn't want another tick on their credit for so many inquaries in just a few months. I did read somewhere that credit checks that will not lead to credit (as I am doing) so in theory my actions will not affect their scores one way or the other ever, right?

Again I am doing this as a service to my customers who inquire about this so as to help them get something that they want and I have.

thank you again for all the helpfull information you are providing to people who desprately need help is this area. I know that just from the few hours I have been lurking on here I have learned a lot.

Re: FICO score and light credit checks.

When you say "light credit check" does that mean that you do a "soft pull"? If so, then it won't affect their scores at all. However, when I got my satellite they did a hard pull which did slightly affect my credit score. For some people, it could do more damage than to others depending on how many inquiries they have, etc.

Re: FICO score and light credit checks.

I don't think that could have been us. we only pull our credit checks with the customers permission and we have to get the last 4 of their social along with their adress. After that is waiting for about 30sec (sometimes longer as our ONE server is located in denver) and we get a message that our client is either approved or not. I am sure there is someone here that could read this and know (more likly than not) if that sounds like a soft check or a hard pull.

Re: FICO score and light credit checks.

If it shows up on one's credit report to other creditors then it is a hard pull, not a soft one. If it shows only when the consumer pulls their credit report then it is a soft pull.

The company I chose was the other one, won't mention any names but I'm stuck with them until November. I'd go through your company except I already have an open account there too because my brother was one of those who, at the time, didn't qualify so I got it for him in my name and they just upgraded their boxes not long ago so my name's stuck on that one for another year or two. Grrrrr...I guess it's back to cable for me. At the rates I'm paying now though I'll be better off.

Re: FICO score and light credit checks.

Well the wife and I are due to pull our credit reports again so I will run myself tomorrow at work and see what happens. I have prety good credit and I am not planning on any purchases in the near future so it won't hurt too much.. I will let you know what I find out after we pull our reports.

Re: FICO score and light credit checks.

Back in the mid-late 90's I bought the ~other~ one, paid $600+ for the dish & mounts, installed it on my roof myself. Several years later the dish & install was almost free. Don't need the product now, afloat on my boat, but if I go back to land I'll check out your system cause I'll probably be in the boonies where cable is unavailable & antennae are useless.

idjeepguy wrote:

.....Jeremy (currently offering a great startup package for Dish network if you want some details on how I can get you a $100 mail in rebate let me know)

^^^ Yes I know this is a shameless plug but it goes with the thread ^^^

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, along with additional FICO® Score versions based on Experian or Equifax data (additional FICO® Score versions based on TransUnion data are not currently available on myFICO.com). Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Score and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair
organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or
assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.